The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-05-04
The BackwOOdsman.

The BackwOOdSman.
Norman and Nettie were my poor
brothers. orphan children and my
charge from the little girls babyhood,
and, with my lame, suffering sister,
made up my household Norman's ed
ucation as an engineer and his many
surveying expeditions had kept him
much from home, but now he was COM
ing to me for long visit and l most
gladly made ready the rooms for him
self and his friend, whom he wrote he
would bring with him. Nettie shook
her head over the other guest, and her
blue eyes danced merrily as she said:
"Oh, Norman, won't l pay you for
daring to bring a stranger to spoil our
fun! All our rides and walks must
have a horrid third to make them
stupid and that third raw, awkward
backwoodsman, who probably eats with
his knife and wears a coat of twenty
years ago. Now, auntie, you are going
to be awfully good to me, know, and
keep the western cub talking, so that
Norman and / can have some long
talks. Oh, dearl Why couldn't he
have gone right on to New York and
paid his visit to us in the winter, in
stead of coming here now, when no
body wants him?"
Il want him, Nettie."
Then you may have him. she said, ,
saucily, " for l am sure l don'tr"
"Don't what?"
A scream and rush answered the
voice, and Nettie was casped in her
brothers. arms, her little figure quite
lost in his embrace, as he bent from his
erect six feet to catch her to his breast
"Oh! you wee darling!" he cried, as
he let her 60 at last, care you never
to get any bigger"
''Not a bit; precious goods come in
small packages, sir.'
My greetings and Annals came next,
and then Norman turned round.
Why, where is John? Johnn
John not answering the call, our boy
strobe from the room, but soon appeared
again, almost dragging in the reluctan t
John.
My Aunt Mary, Aunt Anna and
sister Nettie, John. Mr.. John Hartley,
ladies'
John stood erect and stiff, made a
little bow, while the blood rushed in
torrents to his sun-browned face, and
then glanced nervously round, as if
meditating an escape. Even |, dis
posed to pet him to Norman's full con-
tent, was embarrassed before this BASH
full hero. His face, almost hidden in
the bushy, brown beard, was painfully
flushed, his eyes cast down, his hands
nervously locked together, while his
round, SLOUGH hat was drawn over his
brow, shading the strongly-marked fea-
lures and forehead.
Norman got a seat and tried to make
talk, telling us of his late adventures
and rafting on in his old, merry way;
son, evidently wishing himself miles
away. Nettie stole shyly up to him.
6 You must have found it very warm
travelling" she said, after vainly search
ing for more original idea.
Veryr'
The strong, bass voice, full and deep,
actually fired the word at her, and she
started back as if it had been pistol
shot.
els this your first visit to the East?"
she said, returning to the charge.
Yes" starting as before, but Nettie
was prepared and did not jump.
&C You will find much to interest
you.
Z" expect to-
"Three whole words! He is improv-
ing" whispered Norman in my ear.
Nettie, encouraged, dashed into de-
scription of New York sights. Our
guests large, melancholy eyes were
now and then raised, till at last his
strong hand was lifted to push off the
shading hat and he looked full in Net
ties face, absorbed in her description
of an orchestra.
g 1t must be grand!' he said, draw
ing deep breath, so many sweet
sounds at once. | never heard but two
instruments in all my life, and my near
est approach to the brass band was the
flourish of an old tin horn; but | can
imagine the grandeur of a combination
of musical sounds. And / shall hear
this in New York;"
"Oh, yes, anywhere! You are very
fond of music?''
81 have heard so little. None for
the last year"
Shall play for your"
Will your"
And he strobe across the parlor, with
steps that took in the room in a marvel
Ously short space of time, and threw
back the lid of Nettie's piano as if it
had been made of cast-iron.
AS the quivering string stilled, Net
tie began to play, choosing only easy
pieces, with tunes that were pretty and
lively. She played for some little time,
her nearer listening attentively.
"The piano has fine, deep tone, -
he said, after moment of silence
"but your hands are too small and
weak to bring it all out. Let me try"
l knew by Nettie's dismayed face
that she was bidding farewell to the
piano; but | saw smile on Norman's
lips, and felt comforted.
A few heavy, strong chords, rapid